Pennsylvania Historical Markers - Erie County Information compiled by Bethany DeMuth – Erie Times News July 29, 2021 African American Sailors in the Battle of Lake Erie Dedicated: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1996 Marker Type: City GPS Coordinates: LNG: -80.08705, LAT: 42.13701 Location: Erie Maritime Museum at Niagara Plaza in the rear, along fence, 150 E. Front St. Marker Text: These skilled seamen were among those who enabled Oliver Hazard Perry to defeat and capture a British squadron, Sept. 10, 1813. Their participation critical to victory — secured a place for African Americans in the region's history. Anthony Wayne Dedicated: November 1946 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.07214, LAT: 42.13429 Location: East Sixth Street and Ash Street Marker Text: A restored blockhouse marking the site of American Fort Presque Isle and the original burial place of General Wayne stands on the Soldiers and Sailors Home grounds near the foot of this street. Wayne died there Dec. 15, 1796. Canal Basin Dedicated: Monday, April 5, 1948 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.08947, LAT: 42.13555 Location: 34 State St., near Bicentennial Tower Marker Text: End of Erie Extension of the Pennsylvania Canal system. Work began here July 4, 1838. Canal formally opened Dec. 5, 1844, by arrival of "R.S. Reed" with Mercer County coal, and "Queen of the West" with passengers. Capt. C.V. Gridley Dedicated: November 1946 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.04819, LAT: 42.14351 Location: East Lake Road, in median across from Lakeside Cemetery entrance Marker Text: Grave of Captain Gridley, commander of Dewey's flagship Olympia in the Battle of Manila Bay, 1898, is located in this cemetery. Dewey's order, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley," opened the battle. Capt. Daniel Dobbins Dedicated: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.09075, LAT: 42.13768 Location: Dobbins Landing, West Bay Drive and State Street Marker Text: Erie merchant mariner, naval officer, born in Mifflin County. Captured by the British during the War of 1812, Dobbins escaped, went to Washington to report the fall of Forts Mackinac and Detroit. Appointed a sailing master in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Erie to supervise the construction of a squadron of warships later commanded by O.H. Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie. Dobbins served in the U.S. Navy and Revenue Cutter Service for 30 years. Cashier's House Dedicated: 1980 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.08615, LAT: 42.13103 Location: 417 State St. at Erie Art Museum Marker Text: Erected as a residence for the cashier of a branch of the U.S. Bank of Pennsylvania, which occupied the adjacent building. Completed 1839. Circus History Dedicated: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1974 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.31697, LAT: 42.00007 Location: Main Street and Mechanic Street at the Diamond, across from borough hall in Girard. Marker Text: America's most famous clown of the Nineteenth Century, Dan Rice (1823-1900), had the winter quarters of his circus in Girard from 1852 to 1875. The nearby Soldiers' Monument was donated by the versatile clown and showman, whose home stood opposite. Climax Locomotives Dedicated: Sunday, May 17, 1987 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -79.64378, LAT: 41.91962 Location: Route 77 near First Avenue at South end of Corry Marker Text: Over 1,000 geared steam locomotives were built at the Climax plant here from 1888 to 1928. These were widely used on logging railroads in the United States and other countries. By making new areas accessible to large-scale lumbering, geared locomotives were a key to the industry's growth. More:Climax steam locomotive is on its way home to Corry Col. Philip Cochran (1910-1979) Dedicated: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.0733, LAT: 42.11114 Location: 2753 State St. at Glenwood Park Avenue, at Erie County WWII Memorial Marker Text: WW II hero. Cochran distinguished himself as a daring pilot commanding P-40 fighter planes in N. Africa and as the colorful leader of the 1st Air Commandos during the invasion of Burma. He became a colonel at the age of 33 and earned such honors as the Distinguished Service Medal and British Distinguished Service Order. The Erie native inspired cartoon characters Flip Corkin in "Terry & the Pirates" and Gen. Philerie in "Steve Canyon." Col. Strong Vincent (1837-1863) Dedicated: Friday, April 1, 1994 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -79.98296, LAT: 41.94067 Location: Northeast corner of High Street at First Street near post office in Waterford Marker Text: Civil War hero was born at the NW corner of First & Cherry Streets. A major turning point in the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg resulted from his independent and decisive action on July 2 in detaching his brigade (including the 83rd Pa. Regiment) to occupy and defend Little Round Top. Mortally wounded while rallying his men, he died July 7, four days after he had been promoted to brigadier general for gallantry. Colt's Station Dedicated: Monday, Oct. 29, 1951 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -79.82435, LAT: 42.11883 Location: Northeast corner of Route 89 and Route 430 Marker Text: Judah Colt as Agent began the first Pennsylvania Population Co. development here in 1797, setting up the first organized settlement in Erie County, at head of flatboat navigation on French Creek. Corry State Fish Hatchery Dedicated: Thursday, July 15, 2010 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -79.67218, LAT: 41.93062 Location: 13365 Route 6, just west of Corry Marker Text: Established in 1876 by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission as the ”Western Hatchery,” it is the longest continuously operated fish hatchery in the Commonwealth. Supplied by abundant springs of uniform flow and temperature, it is considered the state’s pioneer trout hatchery. Its success had a positive effect on the state economy, led to the creation of many jobs related to outdoor recreation and helped stimulate Pennsylvania’s sport-fishing prominence. Go fish: Pennsylvania hatcheries, sportsmen groups partner on providing trout for anglers Creation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Dedicated: Thursday, July 24, 2008 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -79.64133, LAT: 41.92517 Location: Northwest corner of City Park, at intersection of North Center and Smith streets in Corry Marker Text: Concerned about declining wildlife populations caused by logging, development and excessive hunting and trapping, Corry businessman H.A. Penrose assembled several influential men in Corry on Aug. 22, 1890, to form the Pennsylvania State Sportsmen’s Association (PSSA). This organization promoted wildlife conservation and enforcement of game laws. Efforts of the PSSA led to the creation of the Board of Game Commissioners by Act 187 of 1895. Drake Well Park Dedicated: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1946 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -79.84715, LAT: 41.88953 Location: Route 8 just south of Route 6, at south end of Union City Marker Text: Near Titusville. The Park and Museum are owned by the State. On the site Col. Edwin Drake struck oil Aug. 27, 1859, marking the birth of the petroleum industry. Historical and museum material center. Edinboro State College Dedicated: Friday, May 31, 1968 Marker Type: City Coordinates: LNG: -80.11615, LAT: 41.8788 Location: Waterford Street and Perry Lane, Edinboro Marker Text: Founded in 1857, it was established in 1861 as a State Normal School, second oldest in the Commonwealth and first west of the mountains. It became a Teachers College in 1926 and a State College in 1960. Erie Dedicated: Friday, Nov. 1, 1946 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.12281, LAT: 42.09266 Location: Pittsburgh Avenue near ramp to Interstate 79 south Marker Text: The State's only lake port, bought with Erie Triangle, 1792. Laid out in 1795 by Ellicott and Irvine. Site of French, British and U.S. forts. Perry built his fleet here in 1813. Erie Dedicated: Friday, Nov. 1, 1946 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.0746, LAT: 42.04362 Location: Peach Street near Robison Road Marker Text: The State's only lake port, bought with Erie Triangle, 1792. Laid out in 1795 by Ellicott and Irvine. Site of French, British and U.S. forts. Perry built his fleet here in 1813. Erie County Dedicated: Friday, Aug. 21, 1981 Marker Type: City Coordinates: LNG: -80.08792, LAT: 42.1287 Location: Erie County Courthouse, West Sixth Street Marker Text: Formed March 12, 1800, from Allegheny County. Named for Lake Erie, which took its own name from the Erie Indians. Erie, the county seat, was laid out 1795; made a city in 1851. Ships of Perry's fleet which won the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie were built here. Erie Extension Canal Dedicated: Friday, April 30, 1948 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.3291, LAT: 41.95135 Location: Meadville Road at railroad bridge between Mill Street and Peach Street, Platea Marker Text: Part of the old channel is visible by the present railroad, which replaced the canal. Lockport, now Platea, was founded 1839 at a point where a series of locks, 28 in two miles, lowered boats bound for Erie. Canal open 1844-71. Erie Extension Canal Dedicated: Friday, April 30, 1948 Marker Type: Roadside Coordinates: LNG: -80.18237, LAT: 42.07158 Location: Route 20 at Asbury Road Marker Text: A section of this canal, linking New Castle and Erie, lies at foot of the slope, to left of side road. Conneaut Line, Erie to Conneaut Lake, begun by State, 1838; finished by company headed by R.S. Reed, of Erie, 1843-44. Erie Land Lighthouse Dedicated: Saturday, June 19, 2004 Marker Type: City Coordinates: LNG: -80.06169, LAT: 42.14415 Location: At site of lighthouse, 2 Lighthouse St.